"Well, it was rather queer. The men were all tired out working at the pumps, and Monsieur Chatelard ordered a seaman named Bazinet and me to relieve two of them. He said he would call us when the boats were lowered, as the yacht was then getting pretty shaky. Bazinet and I worked a long time; and when finally we got on deck, thinking the _Jeanne D'Arc_ was nearly done for, the boats had put off. We heard some one shouting, and Bazinet got frightened and jumped for the boat. He thought they'd wait for him. It was too dark for me to see whether he made it or not. I stayed on the yacht for some time, not knowing anything better to do--" Hand allowed himself a faint smile--"and at last, after a hunt, I found that extra boat, stowed away aft. It was very small, and it leaked; probably that was why they did not think of using it. But it was better than nothing. I found some putty and a tin bucket, and got food and a lot of other things, though the boat filled so fast that I had to throw most everything out. But I got ashore, as you know. I didn't even wait to see the last of the _Jeanne D'Arc_." Agatha's eyes shone. Hand's story was perfectly simple and plausible. But the other question was even more important. She hesitated before repeating it, however, and rewarded Hand's unusual frankness with a grateful look. "That was a night of experience for us all," she said, with a little sigh at the memory of it. "But tell me--" Agatha looked up squarely at Hand, only to encounter his deaf and dumb expression. "If you will excuse me, Mademoiselle," said Hand deferentially, "I think Mr. Hambleton's broth is burning." "Ah, well, very well!" said Agatha. And in spite of herself she smiled. Hand found Mrs. Stoddard installed in James Hambleton's room. Doctor Thayer and Aleck had gone, both leaving word that they would return before night. Mrs. Stoddard had smoothed James's bed, folded down the sheet with exactness, noted her brother's directions for treatment, and sat reading her Bible by the window. Mr. Hand stood for a moment, silently regarding first the patient, then his nurse. "By the grace of God, he will pull through, I firmly believe!" ejaculated Mrs. Stoddard. As the first words came in that resonant deep voice, Hand thought that the new nurse was swearing, though presently he changed his mind. "Yes, ma'am," he replied with unwonted meekness. Then, "I'll sleep an hour or two, if that is agreeable to you, ma'am." "Perfectly!" heartily responded Mrs. Stoddard, and Mr. Hand disappeared like the mist before the sun.